Pursuant
to the policy of Maharashtra Govt. In regard to establishment & development of
Agro-based industrial units in the State Then chief Minister Late Honorable Yashavantravji
Chavan had appealed to the social workers and leaders in the state to take initiatives and
the make vigorous efforts in that direction in this matter. In response to the said appeal
the social workers of Karad Taluka, as back in 1964, gathered together held detailed
discussion with farmers particularly sugar growers, and reached the discussion to submit
to the Govt. of India a proposal for permission to establish a Cooperative Sugar Factory.
At the same time they observed that the northern part of Karad Taluka, the former Assembly
Constituency of Late Yashavantraoji Chavan, is quite suitable place for establishment of a
corporate sugar factory as there was adequate quantity of sugarcane cop. Accordingly a
corporative society by name Sahyadri Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.; came to be registered
under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960 at Sr. No. SAT/PRG (A) 2 dates
26-8-1969.
As per provision in the
Act the first General Meeting of society was held in October 1969 and in that meeting the
first provisional Board by show of hands, was elected under the Chairmanship of Shri.
P.D.Patil who continues to be the chairman of Sahyadri Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd. The
duration of the provisional Board was for three years.
Thereafter the site
selection Committee appointed by the Govt. of India visited various sites in the northern
part of Karad Taluka and selected Shahapur Mal as proper site in all respects for
establishment of a cooperative sugar factory there.
The work of acquisition
of adequate land for the purpose was started and we are proud to state that as many as 350
acres of land could be acquired only through private negotiations without resorting to any
legal proceedings. The vendor of the land never expressed his grudge for the price of land
he was paid. The transaction of sale and purchase of land was held voluntarily.
After acquisition of
adequate land and after having completed all other formalities a foundation stone was laid
on Shahapur Mal on 8-4-1970 at the auspicious hands of Late Vasantraoji Naik the Chief
Minister of Maharashtra State and in the presence of Late Yashvantraoji Chavan Finance
Minister of India.
The architects and civil
contractors were also simultaneously appointed. However while finalizing the plan of main
factory building, one remarkable change was brought about which requires to be taken a
notice of Instead of following the conventional method of constructing main factory with a
view to accommodate machinery projecting a parallel mirror image, a building plan was so
rearranged as to accommodate a machinery up to capacity of 5000 T.C.D. without any further
additions to existing building. This rearrangement of building plan is popularly kwon as
"Sahyadri Pattern", which is worth appreciating and following. A number
of new sugar factories are coming up with this Pattern. In this respect our Honorable
Chairman Shri P.D.Patil does deserve to be congratulated for his foresight ness in
rearranging the building plan as above.
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